A check valve includes a ball and a seat. The seat includes a body and a hole extending through the body. The hole is smaller in diameter than the ball. The body of the seat is formed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene of the seat has an ASTM D648 heat deflection temperature of 46.7° C. at 1.8 MPa.

An accessory for a reciprocating saw, having a blade configured to cut a workpiece and a shoe including a guiding surface for engaging the workpiece, includes a body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The body includes a member proximate the second face for coupling the accessory to the shoe. A guiding surface is defined on the first face of the body for engaging a workpiece and an opening is formed in the body for receiving the blade. The guiding surface constitutes a modified surface configured to differ from the guiding surface of the shoe by at least one characteristic.

An outer sole for a golf shoe includes a plurality of cleats distributed along a forefoot area and a heel area. The cleats are integrated with the outer sole and extend from a surface of the outer sole that faces away from the shoe. The plurality of cleats includes at least a larger sized set of cleats and a smaller sized set of cleats. Such outer sole for a golf shoe gives good traction on the golf course but is also useable as a casual shoe off the golf course.

A golf ball kicking device having hands-free interchangeability of golf club heads comprising a mounting plate secured to the shoe and a retaining member affixed to the mounting plate and having a pivoting lever with a release member in communication with a rear face of a club head. The mounting plate has a magnet and the rear face of the club head is constructed of a magnetic material so as to releasably mount the club head onto the mounting plate. When the club head is secured against the magnet, the club head impacts upon the release member so as to pivot the pivoting lever to a first position. When sufficient force is applied to the pivoting lever, the pivoting lever pivots to a second position thereby directing the release member to impact upon the club head and dislodge the club head from the mounting plate.

A waterproof breathable sole for shoes, which comprises, for at least part of its extension, at least two structural layers, a lower one provided with a supporting structure so as to form the tread, and an upper one that is permeable to water vapor. The lower layer has portions that are open onto the upper layer. A coating obtained by means of a plasma deposition treatment for waterproofing is provided on the upper layer. A layer is thus obtained that has structural functions and characteristics of resistance to damage and is at the same time waterproof and breathable.

An inlay sole for shoes is made up of sole pieces of varying Shore hardness which engage with each other on abutting edges, the width of which corresponds to the thickness of the sole pieces, with matching sinuous projections and matching recesses. The projections form extensions which engage in backcuts in the recesses, the inlay sole being made of several layers of sole pieces assembled as above. The abutting edges are offset with relation to each other from layer to layer.

A sole for dance footwear such as a dance sneaker includes an outsole having forefoot, arch and heel portions and which contains openings in the forefoot and arch portions. The bottom surface of the outsole further includes a plurality of laterally extending spaced grooves. The grooves and openings provide increased flexure of the outsole from heel to toe and from side to side about a longitudinal axis of the outsole. A shank between the openings in the arch portion of the outsole supports the foot during dance movements, maintains the integrity of the shoe, and improves the aesthetics and ergonomic movement of the footwear.

A removable heel assembly, a shoe having a removable shoe assembly and kit containing a shoe body having a heel base and a plurality a assorted removable and interchangeable heels. The heel assembly includes the heel base and a removable and interchangeable heel. The removability relies upon at least one tapered groove ending in a dimple. The heel utilizes a locking connector which contains components which fit within a cavity within the heel base and which locks in place upon engagement thereof when the components engage the at least one tapered, groove and dimple.

A shoe ornament structure, comprises: a base layer, a sub-base layer, a ground color layer, a ornamental layer, a blocking wall and a transparent layer. The ground color layer has a predetermined thickness and is formed on the sub-base layer. The ornamental layer is formed with different grains or color or materials and located on the ground color layer. The blocking wall of a height 0.5-0.7 mm is formed on ornamental layer, and the transparent layer is formed in the area defined by the blocking wall.

A shoe (1) is disclosed comprising: an insole (1) fixed to the upper (T) and comprising a slot (10) in the heel area and a plurality of holes (11) in the plantar surface area. A ventilation system (2) comprises: a pump (4) disposed in the slot (10) of the insole, a membrane (3) fixed in the lower surface of the insole (1) under the holes (11), a connection pipe (20) connecting the chamber (40) of the pump with the spaces (32) of the membrane and an outlet conduit (21) connecting the chamber of the pump (40) with the outside to exhaust air. An outsole (9) obtained by directly injecting expandable material in a mold covers the ventilation system, insole and lower part of the upper (T). A mold (S) for performing said direct injection is also disclosed.

A shoe wedge includes a support structure. The support structure includes two longitudinally extending wall portions that are biased towards one another such that the wall portions define a channel extending between the wall portions and an opening that extends from an upper surface of the support structure to a lower surface of the support structure. The opening has a larger cross sectional area at the upper surface than at the lower surface. The shoe wedge further includes a body portion that extends from the support structure. The body portion is configured with a surface that substantially conforms to a portion of a sole of a shoe.

A shoe heel support device including a ground contacting base portion and a resilient shoe heel engagement portion attached to the ground contacting base portion, the resilient shoe heel engagement portion including at least three lobe portions each having an inner surface together defining a bore for receiving a shoe heel therein, the dimension of the bore smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the shoe heel.

Footwear with a powerful arch spring made with spring boards that can be utilized by the heel and ball of the foot areas during impact for efficient energy storage and return during walking, running and other forms of self-propelled locomotion. The spring boards can extend into the toe area of the footwear to create a toe spring with efficient energy storage and return. Embodiments of the present invention combine the spring boards which are excellent for storing and returning energy with a shock absorbing material which can also function as a secondary spring in order to achieve high efficiency energy returns while maintaining comfort and stability with the footwear.

An outer sole for a golf shoe includes a plurality of cleats distributed along a forefoot area and a heel area. The cleats are integrated with the outer sole and extend from a surface of the outer sole that faces away from the shoe. The plurality of cleats includes at least a larger sized set of cleats and a smaller sized set of cleats. Such outer sole for a golf shoe gives good traction on the golf course but is also useable as a casual shoe off the golf course.

A shoe, such as an athletic shoe, includes a pump assembly integral therewith. The pump assembly includes a pump which produces a stream of pressurized air and a delivery assembly which operates to deliver the stream of pressurized air to an end use location exterior of the shoe. The shoe may comprise an athletic shoe and may be utilized to inflate sports balls such as basketballs, footballs, and volleyballs.

A traction-enhancing cleaning kit for allowing sports players to clean and dry the soles of their court shoes while in-play. The cleaning kit comprises a gellified shoe cleaning fluid (3), and a shoe-attachable cleaning and drying device (1) comprising a gel-absorbent cleaning/drying cartridge (2) removably secured by hook-and-loop to a carrier platform (4), which is in turn secured along the forefoot of the sneaker by its laces. The cartridge (2) includes an encapsulated viscose rayon microfiber panel (20) backed by a moisture-impermeable layer (30), and held captive in a plastic frame (10). The frame (10) includes a raised wiping lip (114) surrounding the panel (20). In use, the player need only swipe one foot over the top of the cleaning and drying device (1) attached to the other foot, brushing the sole. One swipe wets and squeegees dry, and the process is repeated for the other foot.

A shoe includes a sole having an insert piece and a layer of material disposed on a top surface of the insert piece; and an upper extending above the sole. The insert piece extends from at least one of a front or middle portion of the shoe to a rear of the shoe, with the top surface of the insert piece inclined upwardly toward the rear of the shoe and then leveling off at a rear portion of the shoe. A top surface of the layer of material is inclined upwardly from the at least one of the front or middle portion of the shoe to the rear of the shoe, such that at the rear portion of the shoe an angle of inclination is significantly greater for the top surface of the layer of material than for the top surface of the insert piece.

An energy return shoe system has a shoe portion, a flexible lower sole portion and a toe mechanism. The toe mechanism has an upper toe plate, a lower toe plate, and at least two toe arms. The upper toe plate is affixed to the shoe portion, the lower toe plate is affixed to the lower sole, and the toe arms are pivotally affixed at ends to the upper toe plate and the lower toe plate and are substantially parallel to each other. The lower sole is made of a flexible material and there is at least one spring mechanism that urges the shoe portion away from the lower sole. As the wearer steps down, energy of the wearer's mass is stored in one or more spring devices and as the wearer begins to lift their foot, the stored energy is returned to help push that foot off the ground.

The invention relates to a shoe with a sole unit, where the sole unit includes a recess for removably receiving a housing of an electronic assembly, for example, an electronic pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor. Further, the invention relates to a housing for receiving an electronic assembly, for example, a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor, where the housing has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of a recess formed in a shoe sole.

A method for providing permanently colored steel shot for shot shells through anodizing and shells manufactured utilizing the shot.

A supporting and stabilizing shoe used with a masonry circular power saw. A shoe frame rigidly mounts to the saw's motor frame. A plate that is preferably substantially planar and bifurcated to form two substantially co-planar members with a gap therebetween pivotably mounts to the shoe frame. A spring biases the plate away from the blade, but can be overcome, and an adjustment knob tightens the plate in position relative to the blade. This provides for depth adjustment for the blade and keeps the blade at a desired angle, such as ninety degrees, to the workpiece surface. The plate extends longitudinally from the motor frame beneath the drive mechanism and the blade of the saw to provide a stable surface upon which the saw can rest during use or storage.

The present invention relates to a shock absorbing hammer whose head has housings filled with pellet assembly inside. The pellet assembly includes both rigid pellets and soft pellets to absorb shock from external striking force impacted on the head of the main frame.

A temperature controlled showerhead assembly for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to provide accurate temperature control of the showerhead face plate and maintain temperatures substantially lower than surrounding components. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and removed by the heat exchanger mounted outside of the vacuum environment. Heat is supplied by a heating element inserted into the steam of the showerhead. Temperature is controlled using feedback supplied by a temperature sensor installed in the stem and in thermal contact with the face plate.

An electrical ground (36) of an RF impedance matching network (33) is connected to a connection area (50) on the grounded chamber cover (18) of a plasma chamber. The connection area is offset away from the center of the chamber cover toward a workpiece passageway (20). Alternatively, an RF power supply (30) has an electrically grounded output (32) that is connected to a connection area (52) on the chamber cover having such offset. Alternatively, an RF transmission line (37) has an electrically grounded conductor (39) that is connected between a grounded output of an RF power supply and a connection area (52) on the chamber cover having such offset.

A shovel includes a lower-part traveling body 1, an upper-part swiveling body 3 installed in the lower-part traveling body so as to be rotatable relative to the lower-part traveling body, an attachment attached to the upper-part swiveling body, and a machine guidance device 50 of reporting a visual report or an audible report of a value of a difference between a present position of an end attachment and a target position of the end attachment, wherein the shovel includes a controller 30 that reports possible discontinuity of an accurate guidance in a case where it is determined that a predetermined event occurs. The controller determines that the predetermined event occurs in a case where it is determined that a change occurs in a position of the lower-part traveling body or a posture of the lower-part traveling body, and reports the possible discontinuity of the accurate guidance to the operator.

A shopping cart is equipped with an electrical/electronic component(s), such as a shopping assistant, that is electrically powered by a rechargeable power supply. A system is provided for continuously recharging the power supply as the shopping cart is propelled by the customer. In one embodiment, the wheels of the shopping cart are linked to a potential energy storage component, such as a coil spring. The spring is wound with each movement of the shopping cart, regardless of the distance that the cart travels. When the coil spring has been wound to a pre-determined torque, the spring is released to drive an input to an electrical generator. Once the potential energy in the spring has been dissipated the winding cycle begins again.

The invention provides a new method for the safe storage and drying of a helmet and related accessories (spare helmet face shield, sunglasses, goggles, primary gloves, secondary gloves, chin curtain, breath deflector/guard, helmet screws, neck brace, knee pads, elbow pads, chest protector, keys, and remote control gate/garage openers) employed in activities in which a helmet is utilized. The device is suspended utilizing various length interchangeable hanging straps possessing varied attachment methods to accommodate various hanging locations. The side connected hanging straps attach at an angle to the front opening so that the front opening is directed at an upward facing angle off of the vertical plane and a center angle adjustment and interlocking strap is utilized to set a preferred angle and interlink multiple devices hung vertically one under another. The angled orientation enables the device to be bumped or swung without concern that the helmet or other items stored therein will fall out. The shape and flexible nature of the device allows the sides to close in toward the helmet under the weight of a resting helmet. The device employs multiple attachment points and pockets to accommodate the related accessories and their related locations are such that they provide for the easy access to storage and removal based on frequency of use and order in which stored and removed.

A rowing shoe retaining system includes a plate mountable to a sole of a shoe and a receiver mountable to a footboard of a rowing boat. The receiver removably retains the plate, thereby removably retaining the shoe.

The present disclosure relates to a grouting and welding combined connection joint and an offshore installation method thereof, characterized in that: it comprises a set of grouting systems disposed inside of the annular space formed by an inner shell of the central pore canal of a column with large cross section and an outer wall of a column with small cross section, as well as a group of brackets welded on a top deck of a column with small cross section and an inner shell of the central pore canal of the column with large cross section. The grouting and welding combined connection joint provided by the present disclosure has advantages of being able to adapt to the connection of different dimensions of columns, and having simple offshore installation, highly reliable structural safety and low cost.

The invention provides an exercise device for a rotator cuff of a shoulder of a user comprising a container housing, wherein the container housing comprises a first container shell, wherein the first container shell comprises a first container shell exterior surface and a first container shell interior surface surrounding a first container shell void, wherein the first container shell interior surface forms a substantially spherical surface; a second container shell, wherein the second container shell comprises a second container shell exterior surface and a second container shell interior surface, wherein the second container shell interior surface surrounds the first container shell exterior surface whereby the first container shell is nested inside the second container shell; and a spherical ball positioned within the first container shell void; wherein when the exercise device is in use, movement and rotation of an arm of a user causes movement and rotation of the container housing and movement and rotation of the ball within the container housing in a direction that follows a circumference of the first container shell interior surface, thereby exercising the rotator cuff of the shoulder of the user.

The invention relates to the field of explosives, and more particularly relates to particles of an explosive, wherein they are in crystalline form, have a rounded shape and a majority of them contain no internal defect. Particles of an explosive in crystalline form include a volume fraction of closed pores of less than or equal to 0.05%. A method for preparing explosive particles includes preparing crystalline particles, a majority of which are without an internal defect; and rounding the crystalline particles.

An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile.

A mining shovel adapted to dig a bank of material includes a boom having an end, a hoist rope extending over the end of the boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom, a dipper for engaging the bank of material, a bail assembly, and a pitch brace. The member includes a first end and a second end. The dipper is coupled to the second end of the member and includes a digging edge. The bail assembly includes a first end pivotably coupled to the dipper and a second end coupled to the hoist rope passing over the boom. The pitch brace includes a first end pivotably coupled to the bail assembly and a second end pivotably coupled to the member.

A mining shovel includes a digging assembly having a generally V-shaped boom including a lower connection point for attachment to the mining shovel. A first portion of the boom extends generally upwardly from the lower connection point, and a second portion of the boom is angled with respect to and extends upwardly and forwardly from the first portion. The second portion includes a distal end defining a sheave support, and a pivot element is positioned generally at a connection area between the first portion and the second portion. The digging assembly also includes a boom attachment having a first end that is pivotally supported by the pivot element and a second end that is supported by the sheave support.

A mining shovel including a base, a boom, a first member moveably coupled to the boom, a bucket, and a pivot actuator. The base includes a hoist drum for paying out and reeling in a hoist rope. The boom includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end. The hoist rope extends over the second end of the boom. The first member includes a first end and a second end. The bucket is pivotably coupled to the second end of the first member. The pivot actuator moves the bucket relative to the second end of the first member, and the pivot actuator includes a first end coupled to the first member.

A fall restraint system includes a cable for attachment to a fall restraint harness assembly of a worker. The cable can be attached to a boom arm cantilevered on a mast carried from the ground or can be stretched between two points on opposed walls. A shock absorber is provided for absorbing at least part of the shock forces so as to reduce the loading applied to the support system. This comprises an elongate member with a movable member or sleeve mounted on it for longitudinal movement. The movement is resisted by a friction brake or a compressible material contained within a tube so that the sleeve moves along the tube in response to loads exceeding the normal load to reduce the loading on the cable while compressing the material in the tube.

Threshold switching devices demonstrating transient current protection through both insulation and repair current mechanisms, including associated systems and methods, are provided and discussed.

A method for mixing short staple and down cluster by a dry processing utilizes an air tool to blow the short staple over, so that the scattered short staple is mixed in the down cluster. Stirring blades are further applied for stirring. Chemical agents are needless, no pollution is generated, and processing time is preferably reduced since the mixture does not have to be soaked in the chemical agent. Both the processing time and the manufacturing cost are decreased. Preferably, a proportion of the short staple to the down cluster is adjustable for different needs and divergent warmth retaining effects.

A secure short-distance-based communication and validation system validates users in a validation area. The system may include multiple zones in the validation area and beacons in each zone. A run-time mobile device identifier and keys that may be location-specific, device-specific and time-specific are generated and utilized for secure communication between mobile devices and a zone computer in a zone. The validation area may be in a vehicle, and validation may include deducting a fare.

Disclosed is an intelligent shoe for the blind, which includes a sole and an upper. At least a portion of the sole is provided with multiple pressure sensors for generating pressure sensing signals when the sole is in contact with raised ground surface. The intelligent shoe further includes a storage chip, used to pre-store a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals generated when the sole is in contact with a blind sidewalk, and a ata processing chip electrically connected to the multiple pressure sensors and the storage chip, used to compare a signal characteristic of pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors with the pre-stored signal characteristic, and determine that the sole deviates from the blind sidewalk and send a prompt signal in the case that the signal characteristic of the pressure sensing signals from the pressure sensors is inconsistent with the pre-stored signal characteristic.

The device has a line arrangement (2), which possesses an inlet (3) connectable to a supply line and an outlet (4) connectable to a shower arm (5). A heating element (6) serves for the provision of warm water. An energy store (7, 8) is provided, with which the power range for the provision of shower water can be extended. The heating element (6) for the provision of warm water is, in particular, a continuous-flow heater. The energy store (7, 8) is, in particular, a thermal, electrical, electrochemical or chemical energy store. During the shower process, the energy store is available as an additional energy source for the preparation of shower water.

A safety shower system having a trailer; a tank mounted to the trailer, the tank having an tank outlet, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet in fluid communication with the tank outlet; a valve having at least one valve inlet, a valve switch, and a valve outlet, the valve outlet fluidly connected to the pump; at least one pressure vessel having a vessel outlet, the vessel outlet fluidly connected to the at least one valve inlet; at least one conduit connected to the pump outlet; and a shower head connected to the at least one conduit.

The invention relates to a drain (1'), in particular for floor level showers, the drain comprising a pot shaped drain housing (1.1) including a shell or pot shaped base component (1.2) without a pipe connection, a laterally disposed pipe connection (1.5) and an inlet opening (1.3) at a top side of the base component, and an immersion pipe (2) which is insertable into the drain housing through the inlet opening (1.3) and defines a stench trap with the drain housing. In order to be able to adapt such a drain to various installation conditions in a flexible manner, so that the installation height, water lock height and drain output of the drain is variable, the invention provides a solution wherein the base component (1.2) is connected in an elevation-adjustable and liquid-tight manner with the drain housing (1.1).

Provided is a device for use in a shower system and a related method. The device may include an appliance for adding a medium to shower water. The appliance may be designed such that it works according to the principle of a water jet pump. Advantageously, the medium added to the shower water may contain one or more fragrance media.

A shower door assembly with an integral directional draining system including a shower door frame having a frame body defining a horizontal drain channel and a plurality of drain holes, at least one side panel having a first end and a second end, the first end of the side panel being sized and configured to be fixedly attached to the frame body and the second end of the side panel further including a hinge mount, and at least one door defining a hinge mount rotatably connected to the hinge mount of the side panel and a door drain channel, the door having an upper portion and lower portion. The door of the present invention flares upward and bows outward such that the upper portion of the door is farther away from the shower door frame than the lower portion of the door.

An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.

A shower curtain-rod assembly is arranged to have distinct and structurally separate gravitational and torsional load bearing capabilities. The shower curtain may be formed with folded pockets to receive shower curtain stays. The pockets are made by creating overlapping layers of the shower curtain and then ultrasonically welding the overlapping layers together. The shower curtain-rod assembly includes a shower rod having an internal track, a shower ring coupled to a shower curtain stay, and rollers supported on the internal track and coupled to the stay. The internal track generally supports the weight of the shower curtain, the rollers, the stays, and the shower ring. In one embodiment, a channel formed in an outer wall of the shower rod cooperates with a torsional restraint tab extending from an inner surface of the shower ring, which is located over the shower rod.

A portable shower apparatus includes a shower head, funnel adapter, mounted on an air evacuator tube, for use with a conventional fluid container. The shower head includes a shower face plate having a plurality of fluid dispensing holes; shower face plate is circumvented by a ring connector having internal threads. The funnel adapter includes two opposing openings having cylindrical connector pieces, a first cylindrical connector piece and a second cylindrical connector piece; first connector piece having a greater diameter than the second connector pieces. The shower head ring connector is threadably coupled to the first connector piece while a preexisting filled fluid container is coupled to the second connector piece. When the portable shower is inverted, fluid, preferably water, flows from the fluid container towards the user. Other embodiments are disclosed including a variety of transitional adapters to use with a variety of sizes of conventional fluid containers.

A shower curtain is provided with two pockets adapted to receive spaced apart stereo speakers and a third pocket adapted to receive a personal entertainment system. The third pocket is provided with a clear inside window pane facing the inside of the shower and adapted for finger-touch control through the window pane. A closure system integral with the shower curtain is provided for external access to the pockets. In one embodiment, the closure system for access to the pockets is a tongue-in-groove fastening arrangement that provides external access to a personal entertainment system as well as a channel through which wires run to couple the entertainment system to the speakers.

A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.